Instinctively, my magic shot out of me, penetrating the solid wood door just as two siltenite consciousnesses streamed back to me. My spine stiffened the second I registered the female’s essence. Rose buds, sparkly illusion magic, and thyme.
But how in the realm . . .
I didn’t know how that could possibly be right.
CHAPTER THREE
Kole opened the door to reveal two fae, a male and a female. They stood in the hallway, side by side, and both wore uneasy expressions. The female was of similar height to me with blond hair and green eyes. She wore a beautiful but simple, brightly colored gown made ofcottonumand lace, yet it was without embellishments or jewels. Nothing like the extravagant gown I wore.
The male was tall and lean with red hair and brown eyes. Breeches and a woolen tunic adorned his wiry frame.
Their attire hinted at a healthy income, yet not one of wealth or status as the royals or families of the ten Houses were known for. Their status was similar to Gwenery and Timith, which wasn’t surprising considering who they were.
“Aunt Opalin and Uncle Roosep? What are you doing here?” Shock barreled through me, but just as fast, my heart felt as though it’d stopped because I could only think of one reason for how their presence was possible.
Opalin rushed forward and hugged me, her embrace familiar. Roosep did the same, and his spicy aftershave reminded me of home.
But I couldn’t move.
Or hug them in return.
They both released me and stepped back, attempting reassuring smiles in the process, yet anxiety clouded around them like prickly thorns, making my heart sink even more.
“Our dearest, Primelle.” Opalin laid her hand on my cheek, her palm soft and warm. She did that gesture often. She’d been doing that to me for as long as I could remember. “Let’s sit down. Roosep and I have a few things to tell you.” Opalin waved to the couch where I’d had breakfast, but her hand trembled.
Beside me, Kole shifted, causing his sword’s pommel to catch the light. An unreadable expression had descended upon his face, yet his aura roiled beneath his skin.
Stiffly, I walked toward the couch, and I avoided the urge to twist my fingers. This couldn’t be Opalin and Roosep’s home. I’d been there many times. They owned a quaint dwelling in the Creofill District on the north side of the capital. I was certain that nowhere in their home was a chambers even halfway as elegant as this one, or the hallway outside of it, for that matter, which could only mean that if they were here, they were somehow involved in my imprisonment and the Stone being taken from me.
My heart began to crumble all over again as another flash of betrayal washed over me.Not you two as well.
I silently pleaded to all of the gods and goddesses to have mercy on me. I didn’t think I could handle another fairy using me or tricking me, especially not Opalin and Roosep.
Feeling as fragile as glass, I lowered myself to the couch. Opalin and Roosep sat across from me, their auras anxious and heightened, reminding me of someone who’d drunk too much coffee or was high onpeteesium.
I clasped my hands in my lap, my shoulders slumping, and the couple shared a troubled look.
“What we have to tell you may be shocking,” Opalin began tentatively. “But please understand that it was never our intention to deceive you or hurt you.”
My heart shattered at that simple statement. Theyhadbetrayed me. For whatever reason, two fae I loved were involved in this, which meant they also had a direct hand in Timith’s sick state.
“Just say it,” I rasped. “Whatever you’ve done, just tell me.”
A low sound of discontent came from Kole, and Roosep shot him a sharp look. “Perhaps you should wait in the hall.”
Kole didn’t move, and a long moment of silence filled the room. Roosep continued to eye the warrior, and with stiff movements, Kole finally turned on his heel and strode out the door. It closed with a loudthump, making me jump, but I gazed in shock at my adopted uncle. He’d just issued an order to an Imperial Warrior, and Kole had actually followed it.
That one act totally and completely confirmed my suspicions. My aunt and uncle weredefinitelyinvolved in whatever was going on if Kole obeyed him.
Alone with the two of them, I said in a resigned tone, “Whatever it is you’re here to reveal, just get it over with.”
Opalin’s face fell, and she reached across the table to grasp my hand, but the comfort that gesture would have brought me even a day ago evaporated, and I drew back, not allowing her to touch me.
Moisture misted over her eyes, and she clasped her hands tightly in her lap. A brittle smile lifted her lips. Voice shaking, Opalin said quietly, “You’re our daughter, Primelle.”
Whatever I’d expected her to say,thathad not been it. “What?”
“You’re our daughter,” she repeated.
